Page 9 - FOSMA Beacon Issue 3

FOSMA / BEACON / Jan 2023

stood out the most. The institute's focus on simulators for oil, chemical, and gas provided
training and producing a stream of advanced training in cargo operations. A ME
professionally trained seafarers for the engine module was installed in the engine

industry was evident in everything they did. room simulator to modernize the training in
keeping with industry requirements.

In 2018, the institute inaugurated its simulator
section with equipment sourced from ARI, New However, in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic sent
Delhi. In addition to the simulators mandated training activities into a tailspin. But FMIRO
by the Directorate General of Shipping for its Kolkata quickly recovered, with proactive
courses, watch keeping simulators for actions from the Directorate of Shipping and

improved classroom training of deck cadets FOSMA. The initial lockdown left the faculty
aspiring for their second mates’ certificate of and staff uncertain about their health and
competency were installed. Cargo handling careers, but FOSMA moved quickly to ease their

concerns, allowing the faculty to concentrate regular classroom delivery in April 2022.
on the established world of online delivery. Students faced with the sudden uncertainty of
Within two months of the lockdown, guidelines offline classes stayed away until there was

for online courses were in place and certainty regarding the delivery of classes.
preparatory courses resumed. As the pandemic Student numbers suddenly dropped to
continued, FOSMA arranged for stand by alarming levels threatening our economic
oxygen concentrators for the use of faculty, viability, but soon recovered until now, when

staff, and their families. Students overcame we are fast reaching pre Covid levels.
their initial hesitation and course numbers
began to recover. With the pandemic finally The institute is constantly endeavouring to

tapering off, online classes were replaced with improve course delivery and learning